I am in our uni MTB club and the climbing club and it seems to be a popular combination. I was at craggy island in Guildford yesterday when I overheard some people talking about mountain biking. It got me thinking how many mountain bikers also climb?
Not so much anymore. Kayaking is a better partner, ride when it's dry, boat when it's wet.
Yep.
Imagine an obese, asthmatic hippopotamus optimistically scaling a greased drainpipe.
Whilst Stuart Hall commentates.
1x climber here - recently took it up, can be strangely addictive...
Used to climb loads before getting into MTBing more. Haven't climbed for years though...
Used to climb, ski, pothole, canoe and race BMX but now I'm too old and decrepit so I ride MTB
Yep, climber / kayaker / mountain biker here.
Only issue is work gets in the way
Too dry to kayak, too wet to climb: MTB.
Saw that on a tshirt once - seems about right if you ask me 🙂
I'm very much a walker/climber/mountaineer who uses mtb as another option to get out in the mountains, hills and moors. Tend to do more mtb these days, but not out of choice particularly, it's just how it is. Still get out walking and climbing occasionally and returned again to the alps on a mountaineering trip in 2010 ticking off a few more 4000m peaks. Most rock climbing recently has been based around taking my 8yo godson indoors and outdoor climbing, which all means I've recently done virtually nothing personally, but still keen.
I'll go for a wander over any peak I can find here in North Wales with likeminded mates. Love it! I don't do proper climbing though, with all the ropes n stuff.
Used to alot, would like to get back into it but its a question of time and people to climb with (anyone in basingstoke area needing a climbing partner email in profile).... Tho I am intending to teach mini vader as soon as he turns 4, its either reading or alton that allow kids from 4 and they are close.
I used to climb at at a decent level (best lead was E4) but after watching a mate hit the deck head first from 40ft and fearing the worst (he was airlifted to the local hospital but only broke a wrist) I struggled to lead HVS as I was messing about with pro far to much. I dropped down lower but just wasn't enjoying it so bought a mtb.
Love to climb & mtb.... but since having kids it's a struggle to choose between the two... hence i'm now equally crap at both!!
I do, but these days mainly for work. I hold SPA, and teach/update/workshop with staff all the time, VS is fun, HVS wobbly...
Used to, but that was many years ago now. Loved it, but my fitness would not permit me anywhere near a harness anymore, never mind an actual cliff.
yep, bolt clipping only though, got my first F6b+ onsight at Easter 😀
anybody in London and looking for climbing partners, drop me a line if you like.
Indoor climbing on walls yes, otherwise the other hobbies (mtb, sailing, windsurfing) really use all my spare time
boulder a bit now
up to a couple of years ago still did "sun and clip" hols
for around 15 years climbed almost every day
for 10years after that weekends
now run, ride road and easy off road
so i guess answer is sort off
Used to rock climb outdoors and on indoor walls a lot - now climb cranes and other structures...
Me. Though I haven't this year since pulling my shoulder being taken roughly from behind in a car accident.
Yep,with Dartmoor as a playground who wouldn't 🙂
Mind you Dartmoor granite is ROUGH!
Riding a bike is a lot less scary...no falls of 25ft onto dodgy gear,just hang on and pedal 😀
Pretty solid E3 onsight ability up until about a year ago when I decked and broke my back in three places. Thought I would never climb again and sold all my gear. In the last month I've got back to leading a few E1s, looking forward to summer! The wife is a wee bit pissed off but she'll get over it.
was up to HVS/E1 on grit before the bike came along, lots of factors including moving away from climbing partners and moving to the lakes where it rains and the cragging is a bit more intimidating than the peak meant I tailed off.
Having moved to tassie the nearest crag is 5 mins away (and in town) can't wait for the gear to arrive. Did a couple of routes on a rope with some locals and was amazed how much my body remembered and how natural the moves were. Fingers were nowhere near strong enough though...
Well as I've been *training* down the wall during the week, sport climbing yesterday and off to the sea cliffs for some trad in an hour I guess that would make me a climber.
I'm not that good but I'm aiming to improve. I started late, in my late 30's, and have suffered from injury, obesity and sometimes just plain fear. I'm knocking on the door of HVS and objective this year is on sight HVS, an E1 lead and 6b sport o/s lead. We'll see.
I'll take an offer of climbing before mountain biking as weather/partners more crucial in climbing.
It's no surprise that there is a climbing/mtb crossover as here (NE Scotland) any semi serious climber has a mountain bike. Try walking in to say Squareface or Talisman and you'll find out why...
I used to climb regularly. Liked big mountaineering routes as opposed to hard cragging. VS in summer and IV in winter. Lost heart with it as it is so weather dependant. A 300 foot fall in the Alps at Chamonix a few years ago didn't help.
Been mountain biking 20 odd years now and recently took up bouldering when my daughter wanted a go. Now we go bouldering together at climb Newcastle a lot. It's just good fun. We have a family holiday booked in July, a week in font. All of her climbing made me have a go and I enjoy it, I've recently been managing 5+ routes in craggy2.
Like most people I'd love to do more of both but have to pay the bills and work, so juggle these with work and family life. The holiday in Font is, I hope, a good way of combining two of them.
I have walked, climbed and mountaineered from the age of eight. I have also been a skier and ski tourer for years. If you asked me: "who are you?" my first reply would be: "A mountaineer who goes cycling."
Use to climb years ago till I developed a foot problem.
im a climber first, mtb-er second though a month ago that was different as I was riding more than climbing as the weather wasn't conducive to climbing.
I live in North Wales so I have best of both worlds really but i would probably choose climbing over riding if someone gave me the choice!
Oddly, my biking\climbing priorities seem to switch each year. Currently I'm a biker first and climber second, but for reasons unknown to myself that could all switch in a heartbeat. Both are great ways to spend a day though.
I used to climb a reasonable amount but only ever got to leading Severes. I prefer long multi pitch stuff or mountaineering. It's a lifelong ambition to do the full Cuillin ridge traverse but god knows if it will ever happen. Had a few health problems that got in the way and never really got back into it.
I find with climbing you really need to be going regularly for it to be satisfying. Much easier to pick up a bike after a few weeks off.
A 300 foot fall in the Alps at Chamonix a few years ago didn't help.
That's got to smart a bit. 25ft off sandstone rattled me...
For years I used to climb almost daily when I lived in Hope. For family reasons we moved to Ludlow 2 years ago, Ive only climbed 3 times since! Now however, I mtb 4 times a week.
Overnight climbing went from being very important in my life, to not having a place in it all.
Funny how things work out.
Yep, climb at craggy as well!
Yep, love climbing. Mainly do indoor stuff at the newish wall in Milton Keynes but get out when I can....trad only for me though. Pretty steady HVS climber, not really got the balls for E grades or the technique as I don't get out often enough.
Snapped the pulley tendons on my middle finger about 5 months ago and thought I was out of the game but it's healed a fair bit and now I m back at the wall and building back up.
Yes, love it, but I'm crap. Pretty much like biking 🙂
Peterfile, agree, same here. Both sports take a lot of time to get really good at and doing both, plus life of course, is the difficulty.
Peterfile, agree, same here. Both sports take a lot of time to get really good at and doing both, plus life of course, is the difficulty.
Like I said though I found climbing much harder to fit in with life - lead climbing especially is such a head game and I found not doing it for a little bit made it all just seem far too scary and hard!
The other thing I found, was that you cant just nip out for a quick climb, it tends to be a full day, or as near as damn it.
When my son was born, long days away climbing were out the window, whereas a quick hour and a half door to door on the bike fitted in quite nicely.
Climbing is very commiting in terms of the headgame, but also the time it takes up in your life.
Took up climbing at uni in the late 80s and did pretty much nothing else every weekend, holiday and many evenings. Injuries have curtailed things now I'm in my forties but I keep intending to get back to it again once I get the bike thing out of my system. Got fed up with climbing walls but training is a necessary evil if you want to improve. It gets much harder to maintain a level of performance as one gets older and chronic shoulder and wrist injuries don't help.
Was on-sighting E3 on a good day and grade 5 in winter... Ah, those were the days!
[url= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3543/3388690566_8f4df440cc.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartie_c/3388690566/ ]Regular Route 5.9, Fairview Dome[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/stuartie_c/ ]stuartie_c[/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartie_c/3387940683/ ]Crescent Arch 5.10b, Daff Dome[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/stuartie_c/ ]stuartie_c[/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartie_c/3405443776/ ]Regular Route 5.9, Fairview Dome[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/stuartie_c/ ]stuartie_c[/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartie_c/3373487831/ ]Wraith[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/stuartie_c/ ]stuartie_c[/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartie_c/316528987/ ]haystack[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/stuartie_c/ ]stuartie_c[/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartie_c/316672385/ ]P1010314[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/stuartie_c/ ]stuartie_c[/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartie_c/262543875/ ]southcrackTuolumne Meadows 2004[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/stuartie_c/ ]stuartie_c[/url], on Flickr
Used to climb a lot when a kid/student. Mainly clssic rock and alpine stuff and easyiesh Scottish Winter. Fall on Aiguille du Midi and fatherhood changed my risk tolerances so gave it up except scrambling and the odd winter route. Been to Craggy a few times to rekindle the urge but don't really have the time. Had some epic moments especially soloing and winter gullies but glad the crazy days are gone. Tried paragliding next which was even more of a thrill. But these days just scare myself skiing and Mtbing (and WWR)
Love the Tuolumne shots!
I usually just get off and push.....
I was a pretty good journeyman. We have a British team member on here who posts sometimes. Fairly lapsed at the moment (mind you I'm fairly lapsed at biking). Running mostly now as it's the quickest way of getting tired with least faff. Might pop out locally with the mat tonight actually...
I do the odd climb a year, less now than at uni even though I live closer to outdoor stuff than I used to. No local climbing partners and mtb taken over a little. Went to skye a couple of weeks ago and did loads of scrambling, I'm recovering from a torn knee ligament or would have considered doing the cuillin ridge again. A couple of friends headed out early one day but were forced off due to persistent snow.
Although I prefer mtb, given the lack of opportunities to climb I would choose to go scrambling / climbing over a day of mtb as I can go cycling most days of the week if I wanted. Getting married next year so may all change, I'm not sure there's much climbing near where we are looking to move to!
Used to do loads, a lot at Kendal and Ingleton walls with my then gf, a keen climber, and some easyish quarry based stuff. At the time I did shift work so had a lot of free time during the day so it was easy just to put a chalk bag and shoes into my Camelbak, go MTBing, stop off at a quarry and do an hour or so of basic bouldering. Unfortunately, I was almost always on my own and freeclimbing (I've always hated the ropes/harness thing) and it got to the point where my ideas and attempts were getting well past my skill level and I stopped doing that for obvious safety reasons.
More or less stopped climbing when we split up. There's some decent outdoor bouldering stuff in a gorge near where I live at the moment and I keep meaning to have a try of it at some point. Preferably when it's warmer...
Well whoever it was inspired me to pop out, I want my money back. Damp and greasy, climbing like a bag of spanners. Popped off a mono with a mollusc at the back. Should have gone for a ride 🙂
footflaps - Member
Used to climb loads before getting into MTBing more. Haven't climbed for years though...
Seconded, hence my user name.
Gave it up when my taller climbing mates started to take up yoga to make them more flexible. Plus I got bored belaying.
Mostly indoors, but regularly. Have occasional trips to grown up crags, but only with experienced folk - I have neither the expertise nor the gear for leading.
MTB first for me.
got into climbing a few years back when I returned to Uni - having the spare time was the key to sustaining any kind of level. Got to leading E3, finished Uni, started work and was on a VS yesterday papping it!
Climb regularly at Calshot indoor wall.
Try and do 2 or 3 trips a year to small crags (Swanage etc) but there's not really much within easy reach of the wilds of Hampshire to make it a regular activity, and then I just ended up feeling rusty with my ropework...
i climb my bike does that count?
He's an interesting one for the STW folk who climb and bike....
I've ridden bikes and snowboards for around 15 years. I would consider myself competent, but far below the standard I should be for the length of time I've been doing those sports compared to some.
I took up winter climbing and summer rock climbing more recently as sort of a "natural" progression to the fact that I spend a lot of time walking/scrambling and generally fannying about in the mountains.
I'm at the stage now on rock where I ought to be a competent leader up to VS or even HVS, but it can be a real struggle sometimes...the head game. 🙂
The question is this....why do I battle more against a head game in an activity which (if I'm being reasonable) is often planned, methodical and ultimately quite safe from serious injury (at my level anyway), yet despite all the horrific injuries I've had from snowboarding and riding DH over the years, hitting trees at 30mph (which happens a bit too often) never seems to bother me in the long run. 🙄
IMO, riding DH carries a much higher chance of hurting myself than climbing a well protected HVS, yet I tremble like a dogs leg on a crag at times 🙂
Is it the chance of a ground fall or death? The fact that you're more aware of the cost of a mistake on a climb (even though it's quite remote), you're pumped at times, fiddling with gear thinking "oh **** oh **** oh ****"... whereas you don't even have time to think on a flat out DH ride?
I dunno I just think the fear of falling off stuff is more innate than the fear of travelling quite quickly on a bike.
I used to climb loads, did a fair bit and go into the Sheffield scene in the mid 90's. Did a year sponsored by the DSS like most other wannabee wasters and was hanging around the Foundry and seeing all the big names in there and going drinking in the Broadfield with a few, while doing time on the campus boards in The Office upstairs at the Foundry.
As a whipper snapper I remember thinking I was quite strong, until one day I was bouldering on the wave in the Foundry with only 3 other people on there. Ben Moon and Jerry Moffatt to my left, doing a photoshoot for DMM and Ron Fawcett doing laps on the other side. Pretty humbling!
Still mess about but these days, my mind is willing by the fingers are not!
I do! Been climbing for a good few years now, climbed in the UK and the Alps. Good fun and some good adventures! Although the 30ft fall on the indoor wall in warrington where i broke my wrist did hurt a bit. Rock N Roll.... Still climb now and love it.
My son was the climber,so I got dragged along as belay monkey.
Started to enjoy bouldering ,and our wall does some great fun comps over the winter.
I am an addict now 🙂
He is now big enough to belay me (top rope),so we climb 2/3 times a week 🙂
Going through to the [url= http://www.tca-glasgow.com/ ]TCA[/url] at Glasgow next weekend for the Youth Boulder comps,not been there yet ,but it looks amazing 😯
peter - I know what you mean. I'll ski steep and narrow, have ridden fast and loose but climb safe and steady. It's hard to put in words but I think it's down to imagination and anticipation.
When I climb my imagination goes wild and I get the 'Presleys' on the sharp end of a rope on easy routes. When I'm riding/skiing hard it's so hectic there's no scope for imagination to take over. By the time I am in a dangerous situation, I'm buzzing, focussed and able to suppress the fear easier.
Going through to the TCA at Glasgow next weekend for the Youth Boulder comps,not been there yet ,but it looks amazing
I was there today, tend to go at least once a week when i find myself with an hour or two spare.
Great venue, it really is. Enjoy!
Peterfile. I agree with your comment about not having time to think when on the bike.
I would add that I always felt the head game started long before getting to a climb, sometimes the day before, then during the walk in. Also I think there are more factors out of your control when climbing, especially in winter. Also, you tend to be in inherent danger for a longer period when climbing. Could be hours with your arse in the breeze. A lot of time to contemplate what could go wrong.
Finally, the relationship you have with your climbing partner has to be strong, because you put your life in their hands.
Cheers Peter
Looking forward to it,although I heard that some of the problems have 'scary high' finish moves 😉
Nice pics Stuartiec. I really should've gone there when I was into it.
I used to do a fair bit in the Peak, Lakes and Wales and had a couple of UK road trips which were fun but never realistically got beyond VS. I preferred the multipitch routes and stopped getting on with climbing in the Peak which is local for me. The highlight was Dream on Gogarth back in mid-nineties which was flippin awesome and I was buzzing for a week.
I had a dabble last year but with kids now it's far more amenable to hop on the bike. I did buy a kids Petzl body harness on ebay recently though...
Looking forward to it,although I heard that some of the problems have 'scary high' finish moves
There's a lovely red which has been set fairly recently, at the big overhand round the back...starts with a lovely traverse quite low from left to right (really stretchy moves) and then climbs out and out at 45 degrees to the very top of the room. It's a REALLY big finish and if you're like me, you'll be pumped out as you make the last couple of moves, meaning a fairly big push for the last hold (i.e. "all or nothing")...you'll see what I mean when you get there....it's a long way down if you push for that last hold and miss!!
Also I think there are more factors out of your control when climbing, especially in winter. Also, you tend to be in inherent danger for a longer period when climbing. Could be hours with your arse in the breeze.
Absolutely. I can actually be a bit of a grump on the morning of a big climbing day out, think it's just tension/nerves.
With a bike, snowboard or skis, everything just "flows". On a climb (whether on the sharp end or belaying), there is just so much to think about, so many things that "might" go wrong. As you mentioned, complete trust in your partner is essential - probably another wee thing that gets to me is on muti pitch routes when the next belay is out of sight and it's windy - that's COMPLETE trust, getting a couple of tugs on the rope and seconding up a sketchy pitch hoping that those two tugs did actually mean "that's you on belay, climb when you're ready", as i'm dismatling my own belay and getting ready to climb 🙂
Well, just failed on my first E1 today.
Started up Stinker at the Pass of Ballater (been on it before, so no on sight to blow...)
Got up to the crux no real problem, but just couldn't make headway over the bulge. 25 deg of heat wasn't the best conditions and the jams were ripping my hands apart. Hey ho.
Didn't even manage it clean on second but at least I know where I am.
After 3 (Norhtumberland) v diffs and an on sight VS earlier in the day maybe it was just a little ambitious. Still, if you don't try...
Just started again after a few years break -trying to climb indoors once a week, as an alternative to going to the gym. Have kinda made a deliberate decision not to climb outdoors as the biking would suffer. I do a fair amount of industrial access stuff too at work. Sort of a shame as Froggatt, Burbage, Millstone Edge, Stanage etc are all just at the top of the hill.
Happy leading low 6's indoors, but after years of rigging gear in venues where everything is calculated, tested, yada yayda, the idea of trusting my life to a couple of bits of funny shaped metal wedged in a crack doesn't fill me with great glee. Where's the gert great eyebolt with the 1 tonne tested tag on???
Been climbing for 20 years or so now. Mostly boulder or easy solo these days.
In response to the question about nerves on lead vs dh riding, I think we all develop drills subconsciously to help us feel in control and relaxed when riding or climbing, and they're subtly different for the two disciplines.
Part of the 'disco leg' problem is about muscle fatigue in calves and thighs rather than mental state, but it does tend to be a vicious circle - look, I'm trembling, I must be nervous, I am nervous, I'm trembling more...
Down the wall is great. But it's all *training* isn't it?
And training for what. The outdoors. I was out sport climbing Tuesday. But trad for me is where it's at.
That said, I'm still hoping to get back to Kalymnos this year. That is soooo much fun. I was there 2010 and it was the final straw that broke the non-climbers back. As soon as I hit uk phone space at the airport I was off emailing a mate to see if he fancied going out climbing the next day...
Climbing inside when it's nice outside, kinda breaks yer heart, no?